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Restored energy-efficient building will expand customer service and accommodate
changing business needs.

March 29, 2011
Gina Gilliam, 215-446-4909
gina.gilliam@gsa.gov

PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. General Services Administration today celebrated the completion of a project that has consolidated the IRS Philadelphia campus from seven outdated buildings into a modernized facility needed to accomplish its mission, while providing for the preservation of a historic building in University City.

“This major redevelopment project has made the building more energy-efficient while fully supporting IRS’ needs,” said Regional Administrator David H. Ehrenwerth during the ribbon-cutting ceremony today. “The completion of this project is a wonderful example of how the private and federal sectors, and major stakeholders can work together to make a long-lasting positive impact in the city of Philadelphia.”

The project has restored and renovated the 900,000-square-foot, five-story former main U.S. post office in Philadelphia into a modern energy-efficient office building. The renovated facility houses nearly 5,000 IRS employees and includes a child care center, cafeteria, credit union, health unit, and fitness center. A parking lot for 1,600 cars was also constructed as part of the project. The facility was designed to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design silver criteria from the U.S. Green Building Council. Sustainable features include a high-efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning system; low-flow plumbing fixtures with occupancy sensors; energy-efficient lighting; and a light well that provides access to natural daylight. The project was awarded the 2011 Grand Jury Award from the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia.

U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah (Pennsylvania, 2nd District) said: “Today’s ribbon-cutting marks a multiple-win for the City of Philadelphia. By consolidating IRS Philadelphia at the old post office, we are solidifying the expansion of our central jobs core into University City while converting one of our city’s iconic buildings to 21st century usage. This is also an occasion to recall that, by moving Postal Service facilities to a modern new home in Southwest Philadelphia, a decision that occurred on my watch on the House committee overseeing postal matters, we saved thousands more federal jobs for our city and its tax base. Congratulations all around.”

Joining Ehrenwerth and Fattah at the event were University of Pennsylvania Executive Vice President Craig Carnaroli, Philadelphia Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Alan Greenberger, IRS Deputy Commissioner Elizabeth Tucker, National Treasury Employees Union National President Colleen Kelley, and Brandywine Realty Trust President and CEO Jerry Sweeney.

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As the federal government's workplace solutions provider, the U.S. General Services Administration works to foster an effective, sustainable and transparent government for the American people. GSA’s expertise in government workplace solutions include:
- Effective management of government assets including more than 9,600 government-owned or leased buildings and 215,000 vehicles in the federal fleet, and preservation of historic federal properties;
- Leveraging the government’s buying power through responsible acquisition of products and services making up approximately 14 percent of the government’s total procurement dollars;
- Providing innovative technology solutions to enhance government efficiency and increase citizen engagement; and,
- Promoting responsible use of federal resources through development of governmentwide policies ranging from federal travel to property and management practices.